The Button Masala technique can easily be combined with traditional sewing methods or used on its own to connect and shape fabric without sewing. The Aura shirt, Breeze dress, and Pure skirt are great examples of the many ways Button Masala can be used to create garments that are both structured and freely designed.

Aura is an airy batwing shirt. The shape is sewn first, and then the design is added in a second step: buttons are placed freely within the flowing areas of the fabric to gradually define the silhouette. This is a simple project that can be endlessly varied.

The Breeze dress is made from two simple fabric panels, shaped using buttons. Its length and width can be adjusted to suit the wearer. It is the most detailed design presenting the Button Masala technique and requires a bit more patience to work with. The

Pure skirt can be made from a single piece of fabric in very little time using the Button Masala technique, requiring only a few buttons and some elastic.

If you want a different design at any point, simply remove the buttons and redesign the piece – allowing something new to be created again and again without altering the material.

All product photos by Laura Oja.

Fabric Recommendations:
For the Aura shirt and the Pure skirt, choose knitted light to medium-weight fabrics, such as cotton jersey or viscose jersey. The Breeze dress is designed to be made from a sheer doubled fabric, but it can also be made from opaque woven or elasticated fabrics. The best options are lightweight woven fabrics such as silk crêpe, light viscose, or cotton. If you are using opaque fabrics, you only need one front and back rectangular piece, not two as for the doubled sheer fabric.

As a general guideline, the Button Masala technique works best with fabrics up to approximately 8.85 oz/300 gsm. We particularly recommend that beginners use lightweight jersey fabrics, as these are easy to shape and respond well to the technique.

Fabric Requirements:
For sizes 1 (2 · 3 · 4 · 5) [6 · 7 · 8 · 9]

Aura shirt fabric
width 55"/140 cm, length 49.7 (50.8 · 52 · 53.6 · 55.2) [56.3 · 57.1 · 57.9 · 58.7]" / 126 (129 · 132 · 136 · 140) [143 · 145 · 147 · 149] cm

Breeze dress fabric width 55"/140 cm, length 295"/ 750 cm
Note: The sample is made from a very sheer, delicate silk. The front and back are double, so the dress piece is cut x 4, for which you need 295"/750 cm of fabric. If you are using an opaque fabric, you only need 147.55"/375 cm of fabric.

Pure skirt fabric
width 55"/140 cm, length 43.3"/ 110 cm

Files:
A4 (home printing) and A0 (copy shop printing) PDF files with layers, sizes nested. Sewing instructions are in a separate PDF file.

Delivery:
After purchasing, you will receive a link to download the PDF files. There are no delivery charges for the digital patterns, as they are delivered automatically via email immediately after purchase. PDF patterns are only eligible for return and refund if the provided download links have not been used. If the download links have been used, the product will not be refunded.